Breivik's Defense: Danish Immigration Law?

Anders Behring Breivik says he would not have killed 77 if Norway had a "Danish level" of cultural and immigration policies; blames media

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Gabe Kahn, 20/04/12 14:11

Anders Behring Breivik

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Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik told an Oslo court Friday that if Norway had adopted a “Danish level” of cultural and immigration policies, he would never have committed his massacre.

Breivik launched a bomb and shooting spree on 22 July 2011 in which he killed 77, eight in a bombing at a government office and 69 at a left-wing youth camp on Utoya Island.

During his testimony, Breivik pointed to the outcome of the 2009 elections in Norway as motivation for his attacks.

“If there would have been a shift of power and Norway would have adopted a Danish level when it comes to cultural politics and immigration, I would not have undertaken any action at all,” Breivik told the court.

He blamed the 2009 election results on the media, saying reporters had not adequately covered immigrant-related violence in France and Sweden because the media actively supports "the notion of multiculturalism."

"If the media had followed the rules for once, I would have not carried out an attack," he said.

In his 1,500 page manifesto posted online before the attacks, Breivik praised Denmark’s approach in the “ideological war” against Islam as “the only Scandinavian country with some spine left”.

He also pointed to Denmark as a leader in what he describes as "the battle between Islam and the West."

“My bet is still on Britain, or possibly Denmark, as the first Western country to face a civil war due to Muslim immigration,” he wrote.

Meanwhile, the Oslo court braced itself on Friday for what Breivik's attorney said would be "the hardest day" yet as his client prepared to testify in detail about each of the 69 teens he murdered on Utoya.

Breivik, charged with “acts of terror”, has confessed to killing 77, but entered a plea of not guilty saying his actions were “cruel but necessary."

On Tuesday, Breivik – who claims to be a staunch monarchist – broke down on the witness stand when he explained his actions, saying "my country is dying."

The key point of contention between Breivik and prosecutors is whether he is criminally insane.

Prosecutors maintain the militant anti-Muslim Knights Templar group Breivik claims he carried out the attacks for is a product of his delusional state of mind.

If declared insane, it would be easier for authorities to dismiss his radical right-wing ideology as the ravings of a madman.

Two psychiatric evaluations carried out ahead of Breivik's trial produced conflicting results.